Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read4
05 April 2025 | 15:45 CAT

A teenage girl in class, where limited opportunities and systemic challenges continue to shape the reality of teenage pregnancy in South Africa.

Teenage pregnancy is often blamed on “bad choices”, “bad families” or “bad influences”. But recent research by Dr. Zoe Duby, social behavioral researcher at the Medical Research Council and honorary research associate at UCT’s School of Public Health, challenges this narrative, urging society to look beyond the surface.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Dr. Duby emphasized that teenage pregnancy in South Africa is deeply rooted in systemic failures rather than individual irresponsibility. “We are looking at a complete holistic system — top to bottom — that fails young girls,” she said.

Her research, which included interviews with families in Northern Natal and other parts of the country, reveals that communities themselves recognize the broader social drivers of teenage pregnancy. In many instances, residents pointed not to immorality or recklessness, but to poverty, lack of opportunity, and absent support systems.

“People said, ‘There is nothing for young girls here. No jobs, no activities, no education prospects.’ And when you have a system that offers so little, teenage pregnancy becomes almost inevitable,” Dr. Duby explained.

The findings, published in the Daily Maverick, highlight that teenage pregnancy is not just a health issue but a reflection of deeper societal inequalities — including gender-based violence, poor access to reproductive healthcare, and failing education systems.

Dr. Duby calls for urgent intervention that moves beyond punitive or judgmental responses. “We need to ask different questions,” she noted. “Instead of ‘Why did she get pregnant?’, we should be asking, ‘What support does this young girl need?’ and ‘How has the system failed her?’”

The research has prompted calls for policy makers to take a more compassionate and systemic approach. The focus, Dr. Duby insists, should be on creating enabling environments where young people — especially girls — have access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

“Teenage pregnancy is not about broken girls; it’s about broken systems,” she concluded.

Urgent attention and systemic reform may be the only way to truly address this ongoing crisis.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Dr. Zoe Duby here.